For Turner Elementary’s Keith Palmer and Sam Rayburn High School’s Troy McCarley, creating a family environment has proven to be a formula for success on their campuses.

In recognition of their efforts, Palmer and McCarley were honored as Pasadena ISD’s Region 4 Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year at a special ceremony in Houston last week. Region 4 began the Principal of the Year program in 2001, allowing each district in the area to select an elementary and secondary principal of the year.

Palmer and McCarley were nominated because of their focus of high expectations for all students, their vision, and focus and establishing a culture of support for students and staff on their campuses.

At the head of the Turner family
“At our campus, we see each other as one big family,” Palmer said. “Our teachers all work together to help our students be successful and our parents are very involved and reinforce the things their children are learning. It is very exciting to be a part of all of it, and it is the reason that I love to come to work every day.”

The focus on teamwork has benefited Turner students as the campus received an exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency last year. Under Palmer’s leadership, the campus has received numerous exemplary and recognized ratings from the Texas Education Agency for outstanding student performance.

“Keith has provided steady and focused leadership at Turner Elementary,” Pasadena ISD Deputy Superintendent Vicki Thomas said. “He has a love for children that is unsurpassed and he creates a strong support system for his teachers. He also has the strong support of parents at the school because of his collaborative spirit and outgoing personality. We are truly fortunate to have Mr. Palmer as a member of the Pasadena Independent School District's administrative team.”

Palmer is in his sixth year as principal at Turner and has been a part of Pasadena ISD for 23 years. Before coming to Turner, he was assistant principal for six years at Teague Elementary. He has also served the district as an instructional specialist for special education and as a counselor at McMasters Elementary. Palmer began his career as a special education teacher at Park View Intermediate.

Palmer said the key to creating student success is to have teachers that truly have a heart for children.

“The kids need to know that you care,” he said. “If they know that you care, they will open up to you and give it their best effort. Our staff and I get a lot of personal satisfaction working with the kids. Their well-being is very important to us.”

Tradition, success and ‘The Rayburn Way’
Pride, tradition and a vision of success is what brings “The Rayburn Way” to life on the Sam Rayburn campus and bonds students and teachers together.

“The Rayburn Way is about re-establishing traditions that have made this school great and about building relationships among teachers and students,” McCarley said. “We are a family and our focus is to take care of one another. With that type of camaraderie, it creates an atmosphere for our students and our school to be successful.”

“High energy, passion for excellence and determination are all qualities reflected in Troy McCarley,” Thomas said. “Troy has brought a focus that is transforming the school and instilling a sense of pride and ownership on the part of students.”

Thomas added that McCarley’s high visibility at student activities and constant championing of students has won him the respect of the students he serves. “This was evidenced at this year’s graduation ceremony when students honored Mr. McCarley at the end of his address to them by chanting, ‘The Rayburn Way.’ Someone who has the ability to create that type of culture and respect among the students they serve is an outstanding leader by anyone's definition.”

McCarley has sought to increase student interest through new programs such as JROTC and Culinary Arts. A multicultural festival called Operation Cooperation is held on campus near the end of the fall semester. “Everything we do is about building relationships with students, and making our curriculum relevant to their lives. If we can do that, our students will be successful.”

Before coming to Sam Rayburn two years ago, McCarley served as the principal at Queens Intermediate School and guided the campus to state recognized status. He also was an assistant principal at Jackson Intermediate when the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2000.